Evaluation of a community care project for people with learning difficulties

The quality of life and adaptive behaviour of a group of 17 adults with learning difficulties who transferred from a long-stay hospital or hostel into small community-based group homes was assessed before and 1 year after the move. It was found that the increase in adaptive behaviour was largely dependent on structural staff procedures and there was a bias toward achievement in house-bound skills. Subjects had a low level of community presence and few meaningful relationships. Implications for service planning are discussed.